Monday's letters: Reach out

Published: Monday, November 4, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 1, 2013 at 2:36 p.m.

To the editor: Even though health insurance is limited in this state, it is good to know that there are people who want to help make up the difference for families that are uninsured.

My son found himself hanging upside down from the driver’s seat belt. This is how he discovered he has epilepsy. Now he cannot drive a car, but fortunately he is fully covered by Massachusetts state health insurance.

In contrast to this, a Hendersonville family without health insurance finds that their 5-year-old son with severe kidney issues is not fully covered by their insurance. Already this year, the family owes $18,000 of uninsured costs to keep him well.

But fortunately the people in the First Congregational Church have taken on the task of raising funds for his unpaid medical bills. There is to be a concert with appetizers on Nov. 23 from 5-8 p.m. There will also be a sale of fine artwork and people offering a variety of services for specific fees, which will be donated to the cause.

I hope the public will respond generously to help this family.

Betsey Parker

Hendersonville

Bullies and thugs

To the editor: The account of a prisoner suing because of being pepper-sprayed for pushing his food tray out of the slot too hard (I found the whole story in another newspaper) is beyond outrageous.

The prisoner has schizophrenia and an IQ of 75. That he is in prison at all is wrong. That he is subjected to extended isolation in a tiny cell is a form of torture all by itself. This is well-established. That prison guards use pepper spray on prisoners in such cells is on a level with Abu Ghraib.

A lawsuit is not enough. Prison staff members who behave like this are bullies and thugs. Their presence in our penal system should not be allowed. They should be facing criminal charges. The officials in that prison, right up to the warden, ought to be fired and prevented from working in our penal system at any level ever again.

The Eighth Amendment forbids “cruel and unusual punishment.” This behavior violates our Constitution and international law as well as the morality taught by every faith in the world. There is no defense for it. Our nation and state must set higher standards and enforce them.

Philip J. Bentley

Hendersonville

Scattered trash

To the editor: I thought it was prudent that the long grass was cut down along the roadside out by the airport on New Hope and Tracy Grove roads, but I wish someone would have picked up all the trash first. The mowers have scattered it all over the place, and it looks terrible.

Does whoever is responsible plan to come back out and take care of that unsightly trash? Please let us citizens know, would you? We want to keep North Carolina beautiful. Thank you.

Lisa Kauffman

Hendersonville

Spiritual adventure

To the editor: Now is a good time to visit the Sandburg grounds. You can see the Sandburg home, explore the trails and bond with the kind-natured goats.

Put away the cellphones and various electronics for a spiritual adventure. Our spirits will be with us forever.

<p>To the editor: Even though health insurance is limited in this state, it is good to know that there are people who want to help make up the difference for families that are uninsured.</p><p>My son found himself hanging upside down from the driver’s seat belt. This is how he discovered he has epilepsy. Now he cannot drive a car, but fortunately he is fully covered by Massachusetts state health insurance.</p><p>In contrast to this, a Hendersonville family without health insurance finds that their 5-year-old son with severe kidney issues is not fully covered by their insurance. Already this year, the family owes $18,000 of uninsured costs to keep him well.</p><p>But fortunately the people in the First Congregational Church have taken on the task of raising funds for his unpaid medical bills. There is to be a concert with appetizers on Nov. 23 from 5-8 p.m. There will also be a sale of fine artwork and people offering a variety of services for specific fees, which will be donated to the cause.</p><p>I hope the public will respond generously to help this family.</p><p><em>Betsey Parker</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Bullies and thugs</h3>
<p>To the editor: The account of a prisoner suing because of being pepper-sprayed for pushing his food tray out of the slot too hard (I found the whole story in another newspaper) is beyond outrageous.</p><p>The prisoner has schizophrenia and an IQ of 75. That he is in prison at all is wrong. That he is subjected to extended isolation in a tiny cell is a form of torture all by itself. This is well-established. That prison guards use pepper spray on prisoners in such cells is on a level with Abu Ghraib.</p><p>A lawsuit is not enough. Prison staff members who behave like this are bullies and thugs. Their presence in our penal system should not be allowed. They should be facing criminal charges. The officials in that prison, right up to the warden, ought to be fired and prevented from working in our penal system at any level ever again.</p><p>The Eighth Amendment forbids cruel and unusual punishment. This behavior violates our Constitution and international law as well as the morality taught by every faith in the world. There is no defense for it. Our nation and state must set higher standards and enforce them.</p><p><em>Philip J. Bentley</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Scattered trash</h3>
<p>To the editor: I thought it was prudent that the long grass was cut down along the roadside out by the airport on New Hope and Tracy Grove roads, but I wish someone would have picked up all the trash first. The mowers have scattered it all over the place, and it looks terrible.</p><p>Does whoever is responsible plan to come back out and take care of that unsightly trash? Please let us citizens know, would you? We want to keep North Carolina beautiful. Thank you.</p><p><em>Lisa Kauffman</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Spiritual adventure</h3>
<p>To the editor: Now is a good time to visit the Sandburg grounds. You can see the Sandburg home, explore the trails and bond with the kind-natured goats.</p><p>Put away the cellphones and various electronics for a spiritual adventure. Our spirits will be with us forever.</p><p>Surround your spirit with positive experiences and people.</p><p><em>Regina Thornton</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>